Bulgaria Summons Russian Envoy After Drone Attacks Sink Cargo Ship

Two merchant ships came under drone attack off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast on October 13, 2026, leaving 11 sailors missing after one vessel sank and prompting Prime Minister Rumen Radev to summon Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova. Bulgarian authorities launched a search and rescue operation as regional tensions over commercial shipping intensified.

Bulgarian officials said five crew members from the sunken vessel were rescued, while 11 remained missing. President Iliana Iotova identified the ship as the HS Dignity, which sailed under the flag of Guinea-Bissau and sank near the village of Krapets, approximately 17 nautical miles (31 kilometers) offshore.

The second vessel, the Chelsea 3, was struck by three drones about 18 nautical miles from the town of Byala, according to the BBC. The ship, registered in Malta and owned by Ukrainian interests, carried 15 crew members, including seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis. All were rescued, and five sustained minor injuries, Bulgarian officials said.

Radev condemned the incidents during a televised address and an emergency meeting with security officials, emphasizing the danger posed by attacks close to Bulgarian waters.

"This is absolutely unacceptable — another attack in the immediate vicinity of Bulgarian territorial waters," Radev said.

The prime minister also told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that Bulgaria needed stronger maritime and airspace surveillance. His government said the discussions focused on security assistance following repeated attacks on commercial vessels.

Although Bulgaria has not presented conclusive evidence identifying those responsible, Radev said the apparent outcome favored Moscow.

"either side... the logic suggests that the outcome benefits the Russian Federation" Radev said, according to the BBC.

Mitrofanova subsequently told Bulgarian officials that she had no information from Russia's Defense Ministry about the latest incidents. She also raised the possibility that a third party had staged the attacks as a provocation.

Ukraine directly blamed Russia for the strikes, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the violence was expanding the conflict's reach into international shipping lanes.

"The Black Sea has become another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine," von der Leyen said.

She also described the attacks as unacceptable in remarks published on X, according to the BBC.

"The Black Sea has become another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine. This is unacceptable" von der Leyen said.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the latest incident reflected a disregard for civilian safety and the security of commercial maritime routes.

"once again demonstrates Moscow's deliberate disregard for civilian lives" Sybiha said.

Sybiha also highlighted the importance of Black Sea shipping to international food supplies, given Ukraine's and Russia's roles as major grain exporters.

"The Black Sea is a lifeline for global food security. Russia is attacking it to weaponize hunger and hold the world hostage," Sybiha said.

He called for a forceful response to the attacks, according to the BBC.

"Russia's latest attack on commercial vessels near Bulgaria's territorial waters... once again demonstrates Moscow's deliberate disregard for civilian lives and maritime security in the Black Sea" Sybiha said.

In a separate statement, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would maintain its security commitments to members bordering the Black Sea. Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004 and has sought additional technical assistance to investigate earlier maritime incidents.

"Nato will continue to work closely with our allies in the Black Sea," Rutte said.

Rutte said the alliance had already strengthened its eastern defenses and would continue monitoring regional developments.

"We have already strengthened our posture along the eastern flank and will continue to monitor the security environment, adjusting our deterrence and defence posture as needed," Rutte added.

In comments reported by NBC News, Rutte also said NATO would adjust its military presence on the eastern flank as required.

"as needed," Rutte said.

The latest attacks followed a similar incident on October 6, when two commercial vessels were struck by sea and aerial drones inside Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. One ship, the Alfa Watan, sank, and all 10 crew members, including nine Syrians and one Egyptian, were presumed dead.

Bulgaria had previously requested technical assistance from NATO and the European Union to investigate the earlier attacks, with responsibility still unclear. The incidents have intensified concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in waters near NATO territory.

"Another attack on merchant ships in the immediate vicinity of Bulgarian territorial waters is absolutely unacceptable" Radev said, according to the BBC.

Russia has maintained that its military targets vessels delivering weapons and dual-use cargo to Ukrainian ports. Moscow has also accused Ukraine of attacking Russian commercial shipping, while Kyiv and its European allies say civilian vessels carrying grain and other goods have been targeted.

Ukraine has increasingly relied on Danube River ports and shipping routes near Bulgaria and Romania after Russian strikes on its Black Sea ports. Ukrainian forces have also targeted Russian grain-exporting vessels elsewhere in the Black Sea and in the Sea of Azov, near the mouth of the Don River.

The latest incidents leave Bulgarian authorities facing an ongoing rescue operation and renewed questions about responsibility for attacks on merchant shipping in the Black Sea.